The Nobel Committee has awarded the 2012 Peace Prize to the European Union for converting a continent wracked by a century of war into a pacific paragon.

Which is sort of like congratulating a barnacle for attaching itself to a fancy yacht.

Because when it comes to the 20th century and lasting peace in Europe, the heavy lifting was done by the United States of America and its junior partner in the endeavor, NATO.

The EU and its spiritual ancestor, the European Common Market, were mostly just along for the ride.

The notion that a bunch of Eurocrats created the peace of Europe omits some key chapters — like Omaha Beach, the Marshall Plan, the Berlin crisis and the eventual fall of the Wall.

Not to put too fine a point on it, American troops, American arms, American dollars and American alliances turned Europeans into peaceable neighbors — not the self-satisfied bureaucrats of the EU.

Peace through strength, in other words.

But the Nobel Committee wanted to give Europe a hearty pat on the back just as the very idea of a united continent is in doubt.

How bad is Europe looking these days?

The Euro currency may disintegrate soon. There’s a golden dawn (not) in Greece, where neo-Nazi groups and other radicals have led violent protests against the austerity cuts needed to right the economy. Similar clashes in Spain and elsewhere cast doubt on the continent’s ability to weather the financial storm and remain together.

And the Nobel know-nothings think their award will help all that. Good luck!

As one wag had it, Europe has awarded Europe the Peace Prize . . . for being Europe.

But Norwegians themselves know better — Norway, custodian of the prize, isn’t a part of the EU, as voters have twice turned down the option in national referenda.